The Big Wedding

Last August I posted about the movie, The Big Wedding that was scheduled to come out in October 2012. Not sure why but the movie was delayed and ended up being released in April 2013, instead. Do you think they did that to have it better coincide with all the wedding stuff that goes on in the spring and summer?

I had high hopes for the movie since it had an amazing cast: Robert DeNiro, Katherine Heigl, Diane Keaton, Robin Williams, Susan Sarandon, Amanda Seyfried and Ben Barnes. Truth be told, I was a little disappointed in the movie. It had some funny moments but the further you got into the movie, the more ridiculous the story-line became. The house was pretty awesome, though.

The lake house where so much of the filming took place is a real shingle-style home located in Greenwich Connecticut. Amazingly the interiors and the set for the wedding were all created and filmed at the house and not on a soundstage. That is such a rarity these days!

The home has a three car garage. I loved the carriage style doors on the garage. I’ve just started collecting images of garages doors on Pinterest. I would love to upgrade my single, big door to look like two doors or maybe actually turn it into two. Don’t you love the design with the three dormers/roof peaks above the garage. It’s those little architectural features that give a home its personality.

Of course there’s a fabulous deck overlooking the lake. Wonder if it got a fresh coat of paint in time for the movie?

This dock is where the couple actually end up tying the knot instead of inside the beautiful tent where the ceremony is supposed to take place. We’ll see the tent later in this post. It’s amazing!

The Story

The general story line, at least at the start of the movie is: Don and Ellie Griffin, played by Robert De Niro and Diane Keaton, have an adopted son named Alejandro. Alejandro, played by Ben Barnes, is about to get married to Melissa, played by Amanda Seyfried. Alejandro’s birth mother, Madonna, is making the trip all the way to the U.S. with Alejandro’s sister, Nuria, to attend the wedding.

Alejandro is very worried because his mother is a devout Catholic and doesn’t believe in divorce. Don and Ellie are no longer married, having divorced when Ellie caught Don cheating with her best friend, Bebe, played by Susan Sarandon. As convoluted as all that sounds, it gets much, much worse. It kind of goes off the deep end for me at one point and my “willing suspension of disbelief” is no longer willing. But we’re really here today for the house!

This is the only view we really get of the front of the house. (Pic from Elle Decor) In the movie, the home is Don and Ellie’s original home where they raised their family, only now he lives here with Bebe although they have never officially gotten married.

The front door and porch are decorated for the wedding.

I think this is the porch that leads to the kitchen door, the main way the family comes and goes. Looks like they have copper post caps, doesn’t it?

The Kitchen in The Big Wedding

We get our first hint of the kitchen as Ellie comes in through the kitchen door.

Probably my favorite thing about this home is all the wainscoting, paneling and molding throughout. I love the hidden refrigerator!

Look how beautiful the wood counters look contrasting against the creamy white of the cabinetry. Such a great look in a kitchen!

I almost didn’t include this photo but it’s about the best view we get of the backsplash. You can also see the pot filler over the stove, as well, at least I think that’s what it is.

This kitchen has so much beautiful natural light. I’m sure in real life the owners keep those curtains wide open to enjoy the views.

The Living Room in The Big Wedding

Killer views! Wow, is this a great room! I love the placement of the small table over near the windows. You could have a romantic dinner for two there, play a game of chess or just enjoy a good book.

The next two photos are from Elle Decor. How do you like all the neutral colors in the furniture? Notice how the decorations, flowers and accent pieces in a room really stand out when the furniture is so neutral.

It’s kind of interesting how the set decorator, David Schlesiner, mixed traditional pieces like the end tables with more modern pieces like the lamps and the art. In the movie you get the definite impression that Ellie’s taste in furniture and decorating are a lot more conservative than Bebe’s, or even Don’s. Don is a sculptor, so he’s the artsy type. The mix of the traditional pieces with the modern is a reminder of the house’s past life and it’s current life. That part kind of makes me sad.

I liked how the backs of the cabinets were painted a soft blue…kind of an aqua–so pretty for a home on a lake.

A view of the mantel and fireplace. Can you tell Bebe is a huge Pug fan?

The beautiful wainscoting continues throughout the home. We see more of it here in the hallway at the foot of the stairs.

The staircase…

I loved this lamp! Again, we see a very traditional lamp placed alongside an ultra modern sculpture, undoubtedly Don’s creation.

Here’s the only view we get of the master bedroom. Yes, Ellie is in the master bedroom with Don. It’s that kind of movie, very convoluted! I like the upholstered headboard with the beautiful leaf design.

A small view of the guest room. They really shared very little of the bedrooms in this movie. Wish we could have seen more.

There’s an attic room that I think was supposed to have been Alejandro’s when he was growing up. It has quirky slanted ceilings…

…along with plaid curtains and built in shelves.

The Studio in The Big Wedding

Don has a studio and we get a few views of it. It’s super cluttered and super messy.

His studio is kind of a reflection of his life, now that I think about it.

Remember the rehearsal dinner in the movie? It actually took place in the rose garden of a local country club. Hundreds of lights were added to the trees for this scene. They were woven down into the trees to add depth. The restaurant scene you see in the movie is filmed in Gabriel’s Italian Steakhouse.

One of the features that made this house so ideal for the movie was there was space to set up the tent for the wedding.

Big job, setting up a huge tent for a wedding!

I think my favorite part was the chandelier! You get just a glimpse of it here. It was huge!

The gift tables…

The cake!

Notice how they wrapped the poles to hide them.

Beautiful floral arrangements for the tables…

Did you see the movie when it was in the theater?

How do you like the house? Do you like the mixing of traditional furnishings with modern furniture and modern art?

Comments

I’m with you! I HATE the stainless steel appliances. I worked in a kitchen for 20 years and we had commercial grade stainless. Trying to keep those things clean was an absolute NIGHTMARE! Whoever had it become a trend was not in his/her right mind for sure!

I just don’t like the gray metal look…much prefer the pretty wood. Pam, I can see how you would be totally tired of it after working in a kitchen with stainless for that many years! I love an all white/cream kitchen!

Thank you, thank you to Pam for saying that! I’ve always wondered about it. I only have a toaster with that finish,and it’s a mess (has been since day one). Would never want the stainless. Also don’t understand the rough finish on refrigerators or counter tops or floors–just dirt traps. Give me a smooth white finish which wipes clean without scrubbing….

You make me smile! I saw the movie and thought the same thing! I loved the house so much I was wishing the characters to go in new rooms or for the camera to do a panoramic shot of the interiors and exteriors. Thanks for the reminder that neutrals make the details standout. I am prepping today to paint over my orange living room. Before you say anything, it seemed like a good idea at the time. By this time next week it will be a neutral color with colorful accessories. Thanks for your ongoing inspiration!

Love your red dining, room, Susan! It’s so cheerful and festive, just perfect for celebrations! That red seems to be the perfect environment for your Thanksgiving and Christmas tablescapes – I’ve bookmarked them; they are such an inspiration. Because of your tablescapes, I’ve started collecting Lenox Holiday china and Spode Woodland! The Spode Woodland led me to start collecting Noritake’s Pursuit, Marshlands, Wicklow Green, and Tranquil Glen – I can’t seem to get enough of the wildlife theme, now. Maybe because I have a small lake full of geese and ducks just 2 blocks from my house? In any case, I can’t have a red dining room (hubby would freak), but I use a red tablecloth nearly all the time, all year round for the cheerfulness of it.

Thanks, Elizabeth! The red really does work well for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Valentine’s Day, too. 🙂 All those Noritake patterns are wonderful! I love anything with a woodland/nature theme. You’ve picked some beautiful patterns to collect. Do they all intermix well on the table? They look like they would.

This is a coincidence Susan, I was going to e-mail you on this. Night before last, I ordered it off pay per view and persuaded hubby to watch it with me. As it began unfolding, I said, are you sure this is not an old movie because I know I have seen this part before. It was when Diane Lane comes into the kitchen and finds them on the counter, so to speak.
It then dawned on me that it was when we toured this house via the trailer. So after the movie I checked back on this site to confirm it and voila there it was and now you mention it again!!!
Of course, as I realised it, I was looking at all the woodwork and furniture etc. What HAVE you done to me Susan!!:)

I’m generally a fan of modern art — I love the contemporary galleries in a museum. I find it hard to live with, however, and detest mixing it in a traditional space. It always makes me “stub my toe” as an observer when I see it. This is a fabulous house! Would love to spend a weekend there!

Oh Susan what a great, great post about this new movie’s house and ‘new’ wedding situation!!! I can’t wait to see the movie, look at all those stars! The house is gorgeous and I love that Bebe is a huge PUG fan, as I am too! Our 13 year old pug Ben died three years ago and I still miss him…my fav dog race for sure! Mu hub’s name is Alejandro, how cute too!
Hope you’re enjoying your weekend; what’s left of summer weather.
FABBY

The house is stunning, however, sorry to hear that the movie was a bust! I’m planning on having 6 girlfriends from high school & college to our lake condo next weekend. Can you (or any readers) recommend some good movies to rent?
Many thanks!

Some fun chick flicks are: Under the Tuscan Sun, Must Love Dogs, It’s Complicated, The Proposal, Something’s Gotta Give and Sabrina. Two of my favorite movies are The Red Violin and Waking Ned Divine. They are very different…both have amazing scenery. The Red Violin is a great story and the music is amazing. Waking Ned Divine is filled with quirky characters…just the kind of movie I love. Amazing scenery, too!

I never did get around to seeing this movie and am sorry to hear it wasn’t great. I still might rent it just to get more views of the fabulous house! It is gorgeous. Love the interior, exterior and location! Beautiful. thanks so much for sharing…I love me a good movie house tour — or any house tour for that matter! 🙂

Susan, we didn’t see the movie. Love the house and it’s gorgeous setting. I’m with you on hiding kitchen appliances. We did that in our current kitchen with the refrigerator, using the Sub Zero cabinet and drawer system. Love it!
I don’t mind mixing in a piece of contemporary art within a traditional setting, but not fond of the sculpture in the house next to a beautiful blue and white lamp. I think a great piece of art hanging on the wall is a good way to introduce something modern in a traditional setting.
Fun tour! Thanks, Susan.

The house is breathtaking, inside and out but the movie is a dud. Such a disappointment after you see the list of the cast. Wish I could live with white couches and have a dog but will not even try it. Thanks for the pics:)

You’re right on all counts: the house was the star, the plot went awry after awhile, and in general the all-star cast couldn’t save this disappointing movie. I loved the house and the décor and watching Diane Keaton. Didn’t realize it was filmed next door in Connecticut. My other “beef”, it was a lake house and not overlooking the ocean.

No, I haven’t seen this movie, but the house looks like the real star to me. Actually, I dislike every one of those movie ‘stars,’ so it’s one I would probably pass on if it weren’t for the house. The house just might make putting up with them, tolerable. Lol. Barely, tolerable. It truly looks gorgeous. I’d be very interested in hearing something about the folks who actually live there … and whomever originally built it, if it’s not them. That would be interesting. Thanks, Susan!

Loved the house-won’t waste my $ on the movie and am too much of a traditionalist to like modern in an older home. I prefer period furniture in period homes and modern in modern. I have never understood the craze for mid-century modern. I grew up during that fiasco. I thought it was horrible then and I still don’t see the fascination with it today. I certainly respect the opinion of those who do love it-we would have a boring world if we all thought alike!!!

Thanks for that awesome “tour” Susan! We can always count on your for movie homes reviews!

Haven’t seen it – I loathe movies with a fighting stressed out family – I really do go the distance in my quests for peace – and sometimes avoiding THESES kinds of movies helps. But just to see that amazing home I may have to see it now!

Love this movie and saw it twice just to laugh!! Such a comfortable house and I loved seeing all the close ups. When watching the film I must confess I was busy laughing and I think I close my eyes a lot when I laugh so I miss a lot of scenery!!!

Finally, some else hates stainless steel. I thought I was the only one. Thank you for saying so! I also love the glass doors. I like that even with bad movies you can find good by looking at the house and it features. (I do the same).

I hate stainless steel, too, with a passion. It’s bad enough that it makes homes look like factories, but when I discovered how easily they show every fingerprint, smudge, spot, and speck, that was the death knell for me. We have a stainless sink, and I hate it. Every time someone uses the sink, I have to spend 5 minutes scrubbing it down because of the water spots. I can put up with dust in the living room and cat hair on the couch, but I hate a dirty-looking kitchen.

Stainless steel or any metal fridge is OF COURSE, the premier art gallery for kids’ art or grandkids’ art. My parents always kept grandkids creations on their fridge and the grands felt so special. I regretted my perfect white kitchen, it had been my dream and it is just right…and all the memory making of art or good papers on the fridge was gone. (I didn’t think about that when I ordered the fridge with panels to be custom made) Yes, tape is an option, but the “watercolor pony” years are so few…just enjoy them, it’s the best gallery in your town and will be the best gallery in your memory! Also those alphabet letters…my kids would sit in the kitchen WITH ME, and do their spelling words on the fridge while I was doing kitchen things and to hear their voices doing that, well, priceless! Also, one set of grandparents transferred art to the freezer on all sides, in their garage as the years past and more art arrived…the teenagers thought it so cool that it had been saved and we had some great fun conversations about the Little Mermaid years, the grandson that drew airplanes in every picture for almost a decade, another grandson that always drew a campfire(he is a great griller these days), etc., etc….. I want to be that grandparent when the time comes 🙂

Stainless steel or any metal fridge is OF COURSE, the premier art gallery for kids’ art or grandkids’ art. My parents always kept grandkids creations on their fridge and the grands felt so special. I regretted my perfect white kitchen, it had been my dream and it is just right…and all the memory making of art or good papers on the fridge was gone. (I didn’t think about that when I ordered the fridge with panels to be custom made) Yes, tape is an option, but the “watercolor pony” years are so few…just enjoy them, it’s the best gallery in your town and will be the best gallery in your memory! Also those alphabet letters…my kids would sit in the kitchen WITH ME, and do their spelling words on the fridge while I was doing kitchen things and to hear their voices doing that, well, priceless! One set of grandparents transferred art to the freezer on all sides, in their garage as the years past and more art arrived…the teenagers thought it so cool that it had been saved and we had some great fun conversations about the Little Mermaid years, the grandson that drew airplanes in every picture for almost a decade, another grandson that always drew a campfire(he is a great griller these days), etc., etc….. I want to be that grandparent when the time comes 🙂

Since I’ve discovered Bloggers and Blogging, I find myself looking at movies and old TV reruns in a different light. On things like “Gunsmoke” of all things, I find myself looking at the stars eating from Blue Willow dishes …and taking note of the classic decor in the really old, old movies. I LIKE your red dining room. I love that you use things that will never go out of style. The look of your red dining room is beautiful. I’m sure if you change it though, you will inspire us again with another classic look!

Hello,
I’d love reading through your blog. It is so beautiful and set up with so much love, it’s amazing!
You said that the film was set in Greenwich, Conneticut, so I decided to look for it and I’ve found the address: 310 Stanwich Rd
Greenwich, CT 06830
Vereinigte Staaten

I just saw this movie and was dying for some facts on the house. Great post! You pointed out even more details than I observed. Strangest thing though… I’m using my iPhone (Safari) reading this and there were many pictures you refer to that were missing. Many that were out of order. And many, many that repeated again and again in the post. Just wanted to mention that in case something happened with the coding? Or your mobile browser settings? Very bizarre though! I’ll have to read this post again on a real computer.